Industrial policy

Story hook

It is 25 September 2014, 4 months into Modi's first term. From Vigyan Bhawan, Delhi, PM Modi launches Make in India — featuring a stylised lion symbol by artist Bharat Sahu — with a target of manufacturing's share rising from 16% to 25% of GDP by 2022.

10 years later, in 2024, manufacturing's share has risen modestly to ~17% of GDP. Below original ambitions but with visible successes: iPhone exports $14 billion, PLI Schemes driving electronics + pharma + auto, defence indigenisation at 65%+, Vande Bharat trains + Tejas Mk-2 fighter showcasing indigenisation.

The story of India's Industrial Policy is the story of multiple shifts:

• 1948 & 1956 Industrial Policy Resolutions — public sector dominance under Nehru-Mahalanobis.
• 1991 New Industrial Policy — LPG liberalisation.
• 2014 Make in India — manufacturing renewal.
• 2020 Atmanirbhar Bharat + PLI Schemes — selective protectionism + incentivisation.

For UPSC, Industrial Policy is GS-III economy core; Mains GS-II governance topics overlap.

Why this matters for UPSC

For UPSC:

• Prelims: IPR 1948 + 1956 + 1991 + 2014 + 2020.
• Mains GS-III: Manufacturing share + employment + PLI design + industrial corridors.